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| I regret Williamson job ended in resignation, says Rishi Sunak | I regret Williamson job ended in resignation, says Rishi Sunak |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Watch: Starmer labels Gavin Williamson a 'pathetic bully' | |
| Watch: Starmer labels Gavin Williamson a 'pathetic bully' | |
| Rishi Sunak has said he regrets bringing Sir Gavin Williamson back into government, after he quit as a minister following bullying claims. | Rishi Sunak has said he regrets bringing Sir Gavin Williamson back into government, after he quit as a minister following bullying claims. |
| The prime minister said Sir Gavin had been right to resign, adding his behaviour had been "unacceptable". | The prime minister said Sir Gavin had been right to resign, adding his behaviour had been "unacceptable". |
| Mr Sunak said he had not known of "specific concerns" about his conduct in two previous ministerial roles. | Mr Sunak said he had not known of "specific concerns" about his conduct in two previous ministerial roles. |
| But Labour's Sir Keir Starmer accused him of failing to "stand up to a run-of-the-mill bully". | But Labour's Sir Keir Starmer accused him of failing to "stand up to a run-of-the-mill bully". |
| Sir Gavin was appointed minister without portfolio after Mr Sunak, a political ally, won the Tory leadership and became prime minister two weeks ago. | Sir Gavin was appointed minister without portfolio after Mr Sunak, a political ally, won the Tory leadership and became prime minister two weeks ago. |
| Mr Sunak has faced criticism over the decision in recent days, following claims of abusive behaviour by Sir Gavin towards MPs and the emergence of a complaint by a civil servant. | Mr Sunak has faced criticism over the decision in recent days, following claims of abusive behaviour by Sir Gavin towards MPs and the emergence of a complaint by a civil servant. |
| Sir Gavin, who has denied any wrongdoing, quit on Tuesday night, vowing he wanted to "clear my name" during probes into his past conduct. | Sir Gavin, who has denied any wrongdoing, quit on Tuesday night, vowing he wanted to "clear my name" during probes into his past conduct. |
| Who is Sir Gavin Williamson? | |
| Gavin Williamson's resignation letter in full | |
| A quick guide to Gavin Williamson | |
| Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions, Mr Sunak said it was "absolutely right" Sir Gavin had gone, and that his behaviour was now being investigated. | Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions, Mr Sunak said it was "absolutely right" Sir Gavin had gone, and that his behaviour was now being investigated. |
| "I obviously regret appointing someone who has had to resign in these circumstances," he added. | "I obviously regret appointing someone who has had to resign in these circumstances," he added. |
| Complaints against Sir Gavin emerged after expletive-laden texts he sent to then-chief whip Wendy Morton last month were published in the Sunday Times. | |
| A civil servant then told the Guardian Sir Gavin had told them to "slit your throat" and "jump out of the window" on separate occasions during his time as defence secretary. | |
| Sir Gavin's former deputy, Anne Milton, has also claimed he had behaved in a "threatening" and "intimidating" way towards MPs while he was chief whip. | |
| Sir Gavin Williamson resigned on Tuesday, saying claims against him had become a "distraction" for the government | |
| At PMQs, Mr Sunak said he "did not know about any of the specific concerns" about his conduct as defence secretary or chief whip. | |
| Downing Street has previously said the PM was aware of a "disagreement" between Sir Gavin and Ms Morton before appointing him, but not the detail of the messages he had sent her. | |
| In response, Labour's Sir Keir said Sir Gavin had "spent years courting the idea that he can intimidate others, blurring the lines to normalise bullying behaviour". | |
| "It's precisely why the prime minister gave him a job," he added. | |
| The Labour leader also criticised Mr Sunak for thanking Sir Gavin for his "personal support and loyalty" in a letter responding to his resignation. | |
| "What message does he think it sends when, rather than take on the bullies, he lines up alongside and thanks them for their loyalty?" Sir Keir added. |